Introduction
Ah, there it is! The inevitable first big snowfall of the year in Dorchester, MA and it is beautiful! Your puppies probably love it more than you do. It is especially fun to watch puppies for the first time seeing snow. They often love to catch it from the sky, eat it and just plain run circles around in it! But even though we know it is coming it somehow always seems to catch us by surprise and if you’re a new dog owner you may be in for some unexpected challenges! I hope that you find these tips and tricks to be as useful as I have and that even if you are an experienced dog owner you may learn something new!
Paws!
Humans have the benefit of going out to the store and buying quality boots that are waterproof and insulated, keeping us warm and dry in the New England weather we endure each year. Our dogs, however, do not have this luxury and must rely on us to help them with this aspect of winter life. All dogs, but especially those with lots of fur between their toes, are susceptible to ice/snow balls forming on their feet. This is uncomfortable and if left for too long can cause frostbite, which is painful and costly if you have to bring them to a vet. You can help combat this by bringing your dog to a groomer and having them shave the fur in between their pads. Oftentimes they will do this as part of a sanitary or paw trim for free, just don’t forget to ask! This is one of the best ways to help the snow balls from forming in the first place and also helps to prevent uncomfortable matting of the fur after an adventure in the snow. Did I mention that it also makes drying your dog’s paws off easier once you come inside? If you want to go above and beyond for your pet you can always purchase high quality, reusable winter dog boots, such as these kurgo blaze cross dog shoes or you can go for a more affordable, budget friendly option such as these rubber boots!
You can also do away with the boots by using this tried and true salve, called Musher’s Secret, that goes on your dog’s paws. It protects their sensitive pads from road salt and can be found directly here!
Jackets!
Just like us, dog bodies get cold, too! This is particularly true for short haired breeds such as pugs, greyhounds, frenchies, basenjis and more! In order to combat this we can purchase coats to help keep some of your dog’s body heat in and the winter out. Not to mention they can look really cute and stylish as well! I particularly like the stuff offered over at Ruffwear and would certainly recommend checking them out for quality products that will keep your dog warm and dry in any conditions.
Wipe 'em Down!
No matter what, one of the most important things to remember when coming back inside from a winter walk is to wipe your dog down! Use warm water and a towel or some wet wipes to clean your dog’s paws if they walked anywhere that may have had salt on the ground. The road salt is corrosive and damages your dog’s paws, causing them to get irritated. If left on for too long it can cause a dog’s paws to dry and crack. After washing the paws, feel free to give your pet a towel dry and a possible combing if they have curly fur.
Watch 'em!
Your dog will tell you all you need to know about how they feel from their body language! If your dog is lifting or holding one of their leg’s up, check their paws to see if they have a build up of snow. Check between their toes, and if needed, remove snow and any salt that may be stuck to their pads. If your dog starts to slow down and it they don’t want to walk further or if they start to shiver, it is a good indication that they want to go back inside. Remember to always use your best judgement and remember that just because you are well protected from the elements, it does not necessarily mean that they are.
YOU!
Dogs are TOUGH and it is most likely YOU that will struggle with the winter weather. As a lifelong New England resident I am no stranger to this climate. Over the years I have learned that the best way to stay outside for long periods of time is to stay properly layered up and dry! This means that you should at the very least be wearing water resistant, if not waterproof, boots, pants, coats and gloves and never forget a hat! I also find that wearing a scarf or balaclava ski mask allows me to stay out all day. Next you will want to make sure you are wearing appropriate socks. Nothing is worse than having cold feet!
Training!
As always, if you want to be a happy pet owner, you want to have a well behaved dog. The roads and sidewalks are extremely slippery this time of year and falling can quickly lead to injury for you and your pups! The best policy for this is prevention! Practice commands like “wait” and loose leash walking whenever possible in order to prevent pulling when distracted or on walks.
That’s It!
Thank you for reading! I hope that you found this guide helpful and as always if you have any questions please feel free to reach out to me!
Contact us @:
Email: Kevincatir@mydot.dog Phone: 207-252-9851 Instagram: @mydotdog Website: www.mydot.dog
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